Guardian Angels, Register of Deeds, Half of your faith
Issue 379 » May 19, 2006 - Rabi Al-Thani 21, 1427
General
| Living the Quran |
Al-Rad
(The Thunder)
The allusion here is to the guardian angels attached to every soul guarding him or her from harm unless Allah wills otherwise. According to a Hadith in Abu Dawud, these angels guard man from falling into potholes, slip down from top of walls, escape flying objects, etc., unless Allah wills otherwise. When Allah wills, the angels move away. Life would be impossible if Allah removed these angels. One of the angels is positioned at the front while the other at the rear. They change their duties morning and evening. There are two others, one at the right hand side and another at the left. These two write down the deeds. The one on the right records good deeds while the other at left records evil deeds. Thus, every man has four angels with him at any time: four during the day, and four others at night (Bukhari). The angels are with us all the time except when we are having intercourse and we are in the washroom. (Ibn Kathir) But Allah's protection should not lead the people to believe that they can do what they wish. Rather, although it is true that Allah does not punish for no crime, when we rebel, the protection is withdrawn. Not even the guardian angels can do anything for us in that event. Source: |
| Understanding the Prophet's Life |
| The Registers of Deeds In a hadith narrated by Sayyida Aisha, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said that all the deeds that we perform are written down in three registers:
The second register of deeds is especially important for us to consider because there is no Divine pardon in cases where personal rights have been violated. Forgiveness can only come from the person concerned - either directly or when Allah makes it possible for that person to grant a pardon. The Prophet Muhammad said in this regard: Whoever is guilty of doing some wrong against a fellow human being, whether in regard to his honour or anything else, he should obtain his forgiveness before the Day of judgment, when there will be no money to pay for it. If he has any good deeds to his credit, they will be taken away from him to the extent of his wrongdoing. And if he has no good deeds, the sins of the wronged-one will be taken and put on him. (Bukhari.) Source: |
| Blindspot! |
Half of your faith How many men and women prepare themselves to
live as a couple, as a family?
Some think about it, others are already committed to it. We hear of stories... and one is sometimes moved by the expectations and hopes of some, and sometimes saddened by the painful life experiences of others. Perhaps you are also, sisters and brothers, preparing yourselves to engage in this life experience of marriage, known as half of your faith. Or perhaps you have already started sharing your life with someone. In this, your expectations, thank God, were more than met but sometimes doubts have emerged. This... is not what you had expected. Brothers and sisters, nothing should be idealized. The perfect husband or the perfect wife only exists in your dreams. God has given you, as He has given others, noble qualities and intelligence. God has given you, as He has given others, faults and deficiencies. Perfection is not given to you or any human being. It is not enough to share the same faith, the same principles and the same hopes to make an ideal couple. How many young couples have been under the illusion that their future life will be harmonious as if being Muslim was enough for a successful marriage? As if their union was based solely on the meeting of two worlds founded on the same principles that one respects or on the rules which one applies. Living as a couple is not without its challenges - preparing yourself, learning and constantly trying to reach out to the other with patience, depth and tenderness. Although it is true that the principles of Islam bring you together, or will bring you together, you must remember each day that the person with whom you share your life comes with his or her own history, wounds, sensitivities and hopes. Learn to listen, to understand, to observe, to accompany. Living as a couple is the greatest of tests: a test of patience, of attention, of the ability to listen for unspoken words, of self-control, of mending one’s faults, of healing the wounds. In each of these tests, there are two parties. It isn’t easy. A meaningful effort has to be grounded in the deepest sense of spirituality, a jihad, in the most intense meaning of the term. The jihad of love which reminds that feelings have to be taken care of. They are maintained, deepened, rooted through your shared challenges and your patience. They are your garments and you are their garments. Know how to be patient, learn how to be affectionate, offer forgiveness, and you will attain the spirituality of the protected, the proximity of the ones that are close. Faith then becomes your source of light and "his or her" presence, becomes your source of protection; the test of your heart, the energy of your love, half of your faith. Source: |
